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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 179 Zhang Suduo
The term Tiele is a collective name; in fact, the various tribes share a common origin with Turkic, but they stubbornly refuse to fully integrate into the Khanate. While they acknowledge the Turkic Khagan as their leader, they maintain a degree of independence, as seen in tribes like Xue Yantuo, Uyghur, Baye Gu, and Tongluo.
Qimin Khan was supported by the Sui Dynasty to rise as a Khan, which is why the Tiele tribes do not hold him in high regard. The same applies to Shibi Khan, who inherited the legacy of Qimin Khan.
Shibi Khan is strong-willed and, naturally, unwilling to tolerate dissent. Over the years, he has relentlessly oppressed the tribes to establish his authority as Khan.
With oppression comes resistance. When strength is lacking, the weaker factions often band together out of necessity, leading to a conspiracy among them.
It was precisely because they were weaker that they hesitated in front of Shibi Khan, who was leading an army of one hundred thousand northward. The tribes began to panic and sent envoys to plead for mercy, yet they showed no intention of surrendering the two individuals in question.
This was not out of loyalty but rather fear that those two would betray them before the Khan, exposing all the tribal leaders who had secretly cursed and undermined him over the years.
Given Shibi Khan's temperament, he would undoubtedly seek vengeance upon learning this. However, killing them off first was not an option either; Shibi Khan had a protective nature. Slaying his own brother would only provide him with a justifiable reason for further bloodshed, potentially resulting in even more deaths.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, the Tiele tribes found themselves in a dilemma. Meanwhile, after his initial anger, Shibi Khan hesitated. He was confident he could win but uncertain about stabilizing the situation quickly.
If merely killing a few people could resolve the issue, neither he nor his father would have hesitated for even a moment; they would have found an excuse to act long ago.
Eliminating those leaders would only incite resentment among the warriors and herders of each tribe. The newly appointed leaders would be pressured by their followers, necessitating constant vigilance and concern over potential betrayal at critical moments.
Perhaps it would be wise to turn a blind eye for now; Shibi Khan felt some regret.
Li Jian Cheng understood that any further persuasion at this moment would only arouse suspicion from Shibi Khan. Distrust is a common trait among those in power.
The Khan's confidant and strategist, Kang Tan, spoke up: “Khan, since you have already mobilized your troops, you cannot withdraw without bloodshed. Doing so will only lead those tribal leaders to further underestimate your authority.”
Shibi Khan nodded slowly; authority was the most crucial element for him to control the grasslands. A Khan without authority is destined to lose his life.
“Jian Cheng, what do you think?”
Li Jian Cheng replied calmly, “What holds back the tribes is merely their concern that the Khan will seek retribution against them in the future.”
As long as Khan agrees to hand over Ashina Silifu and Ashina Tuo Bi, the leaders of the various tribes will send their Eldest Sons and younger sons to serve as guards under Khan, believing in their loyalty and not pursuing past grievances. It is expected that the tribes will agree.
However, before that, Khan must first see blood, allowing the tribes to understand Khan's authority. The reason he does not destroy them is due to his benevolence, not because he cannot.
After hearing this, Shibi Khan found it very reasonable; his own thoughts became clearer, and it was worth the effort to have secured these two talents.
Thus, Shibi Khan advanced again. Along the way, he encountered resistance, but it was easily overcome. However, Shibi Khan restrained himself from ordering the killing of captives or pursuing fleeing soldiers.
The tribes watched helplessly as Shibi Khan approached. Smaller tribes began to flee to avoid disaster, while larger tribes had many herders who could not abandon the lush pastures to escape. While people might endure it, livestock certainly could not; without livestock, how would herders survive?
...
Li Mi publicly disparaged Zhang Suduo in front of the Wagang members as if he were utterly weak. Yet when it came time to face him, he took it very seriously and patiently explained clearly what each person was responsible for.
Zhai Rang led tens of thousands of men to confront Zhang Suduo and then performed normally according to Li Mi's requirements. Unsurprisingly, they were defeated by Zhang Suduo. The enemy's young general named Roshan was indeed incredibly brave; wherever he went, chaos ensued.
Zhai Rang fought while retreating. Li Mi, hidden among the trees in the northern woods of Great Sea Temple, watched eagerly; he saw another Yang Xuangan in Roshan. If such a fierce general could serve under him, everything would become easier.
Zhang Suduo now commanded great respect across the seas; defeating these bandits had almost become instinctual for him. He keenly judged that Zhai Rang lacked any real military talent and was merely another lucky survivor.
Thus, he personally led his troops to tightly pursue Zhai Rang, hoping to resolve Wagang in one battle. If he could stabilize such a large area, he would have time to deal with other bandits.
Zhang Suduo did not know when this situation would end, but he recognized himself as just an ordinary man. Perhaps he had some military talent for the court's Suppression of Rebellion but lacked the ability to govern and stabilize a nation; he could only place his hopes on His Majesty's revival.
Seeing Zhang Suduo's front line pass by and noticing that the rear troops were also about to pass, Li Mi immediately shouted a command for the ambush troops to spring into action. He and Wang Bodang personally led their forces out to tightly engage with the Sui Army that had already pursued for over ten miles.
Upon receiving news of this, Xu Shijie quickly joined Zhai Rang in restraining the Wagang Army, allowing their terrified comrades to flee while leading prepared elite troops to block Zhang Suduo's advance.
Xu Shijie and Bing Yuanzhen along with several other cavalry generals confronted Roshan but could only barely hold their ground against him; the enemy's personal guards were also very fierce.
In the midst of battle, the bravery of one or two individuals could hardly make a difference. The encirclement by the Wagang Army had already taken shape, and the Sui Army, exhausted from pursuing for over ten miles, began to falter as the ambush forces struck unexpectedly, leading to their rout.
Zhang Suduo wished to capture the leader first, but Zhai Rang had long since vanished, and his standard was lost among the crowd. With no other choice, Zhang Suduo had to break through the encirclement first.
Among the Sui Army, there was no doubt that Roshan was the strongest, followed closely by Zhang Suduo. Armed with a spear and accompanied by seasoned guards who had survived countless battles, he fought fiercely and managed to break free.
However, as Zhang Suduo looked back, he saw that the soldiers he had painstakingly led out were still trapped in the encirclement. Without hesitation, he charged back into the fray. After several fierce exchanges, he managed to rescue some soldiers, but his personal guards were dwindling.
Meanwhile, the last group of ambushers arranged by Li Mi appeared ahead—over a thousand figures faintly visible. While this number seemed insignificant at first glance, in such a chaotic battle, it became the last straw that broke the camel's back.
Zhang Suduo said nothing as he wiped away the blood obscuring his vision and once again led his troops into battle. He charged alone towards Roshan and helped him fend off Xu Shijie's long spear.
"Go!"
Roshan met his gaze and understood his resolve. With a fierce shout, he killed a Wagang cavalryman and led his remaining guards through the gap that Zhang Suduo had created to escape.
With Zhang Suduo present, they paid no attention to Roshan and surrounded him instead. Li Mi rode closer and said, "General Zhang, you are a hero of unparalleled might. Over these years of fighting across the south and north for the Sui Dynasty and suppressing rebellions countless times, you have already repaid Yang Guang's favor. Surrender."
………
(End of Chapter)
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